On Super Bowl Sunday we saw the Kingston Frontenacs travel to North Bay to take on the Battalion. Obviously the win and the 2 points were important for the standings, but how did Frontenacs‘ NHL prospects look?
Zayde Wisdom (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward
Zayde is bull out there. Physically he won battles and created space for his linemates. He was an absolute force below the face-off dots especially in front of the Battalion’s net where he scored off of a line rush on a rebound (It was on the PP). Zayde has good straight ahead speed, but today he showed explosive bursts that allowed him to win puck battles through early body position. I mentioned that he cycled well and was a bully down low, but he showed poise and vision while looking to the point or finding his shooter in the high slot. He also was a very reliable backchecking forward who applied excellent back pressure while communicating with the Kingston defensemen. Game Grade: B+
Martin Chromiak (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — A-) Forward
Martin played like he was on a mission today. He finished the game with a goal and two helpers, but he was more than that. His speed with puck was fantastic and the pressure he put on North Bay’s defensive core was felt by everyone in the building. The defensive core was forced to back peddle early allowing Martin to have his way with them on zone entries and line rushes. But what I really liked was the compete he showed in all three zones. He took hits to make plays, was involved physically and had a big blocked shot while killing a penalty. Martin is a scorer, but he was able to impact the game in other ways too. Game Grade: A-
Jake Murray (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Defense
Jake is a big strong young player who appears to know what he needs to do to be successful. He was excellent at clearing shooting lanes and winning physical confrontations. As a matter of fact, he didn’t just win. He knocked most guys on their asses while he was doing it. His gap control was excellent using his long reach to generate turnovers and I think he showed nice laterally quickness by pinching off North Bay’s forwards early. His fist touch allowed him to be used on top of the umbrella and his decisions were sound. Game Grade: B
Evan Brand (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Defense
Massive human had showed excellent compete and battle. He was the best penalty killer out there today, as he should be, and I really liked how worked to be an outlet for his partner. He showed good awareness in transition by making good quick passes that allowed his forwards to maintain their speed. Evan had a few blocked shots and broke up a half dozen passes with his active stick. Game Grade: B-
Vitali Pinchuk (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B-) Forward
I really liked Vitali’s game. He scored on high poise play walking down the slot and out waiting the Battalion goaltender and his helper was a beauty. There was a broken play below the goal line and Vitali walked up the wall to evade pressure. His poise and vision were on full display when he found the weakside defenseman (Nick King) at the point who buried a rocket from the blueline. He was very shifty in 1 on 1 situations and was an asset all game. Game Grade: B
Lucas Peric (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Defense
Lucas was very involved in this one. His point shots generated rebounds and net front chaos and there were a number of times that he activated from the high cycle and caused confusion for the defending wingers. He a positive factor in the special teams game and I thought had an impact on the win. Game Grade: C+
Shane Wright (5 Star Amateur Rating, 2022 NHL Grade — NA) Forward
It’s hard to believe that Shane is a 2004 birth year. He is a leader and he impacts the game in every way possible. Today was no exception. He scored a power play goal on a beautiful set up, but it was his release and deception that were really a thing of beauty. Game Grade: B